Thankful Thursday

Thanksgiving is not a UK holiday, it’s one that other nations celebrate, but as the hype around the American one builds (it’s also my American other half’s birthday this year). I’m focusing on the things I’m thankful for.

– I’m thankful for the love of a woman who is still with me after eight and a half years, two break ups, and being 5000 miles apart.

– I’m thankful in the knowledge that in breaking ties from my father I have been able to deal with the mental health time bomb that was ticking inside me and am starting to see better days.

– I’m thankful for the love of my chosen family, who pick me up when down and laugh with me when up. They know how best to address my meltdowns (both PTSD and ASD).

– I’m thankful for the support of a person who 18 months ago didn’t know me from Adam but has given me love, light, hope, and perspective. And who isn’t afraid to give me a reality check when needed.

– I’m thankful for the things my body CAN do and that its been 2 years since I last had a severe ED trigger.

– I’m thankful that in almost a year I’ve only scratched when stimming once, after a particularly difficult emotional event.

– I’m thankful that I’m no longer giving into self-harm temptations even when they are there. That I remember the promise I made and one made to me when the temptations occur.

– I’m thankful I work somewhere that when I told them on the HR form I couldn’t select my gender, they just told me not to answer it and listened when I suggested adding an other category.

– I’m thankful that people try and use my pronouns even if they mess up, and the understanding of my gender identity from unexpected places.

– I’m thankful that I have had the opportunity to work with Muslim people who have strengthened my belief that ISIS and the like are fringe elements, like the KKK and WBC are when it comes to Christianity.

– I’m thankful that I wake up each morning. Even when I want to go back to sleep.

– I’m thankful for the support of a group of women, most of whom I’ve never met in person and likely never will, who boost me creatively and personally.

– I’m thankful that finally, I appear to have found my tribe.

You shouldn’t need a national holiday to remind you to be thankful, and truth is, I really don’t, but it seemed like the appropriate time to post this?